IDENTIFICATION  

It is a large urodela (amphibians keeping its tail in adult phase), the largest of the three types present in the province (up to 30 cm of total length head-tail). The tail is long without any ridge; the head is flattened and the eyes are small. The skin is rough, highlighting a line of small orange bumps, like warts, on the sides. The colour varies from a kind of brown, sometimes with yellowish or greenish tones. The larvae are very elongated, resembling to some extent a fish fry. They are born without legs (different from the salamander larvae) and with a translucent aspect (they reach up to 8 cm of total head-tail length). Throughout its development, four limbs and the skin pigmentation are formed. The head is wide and depressed, with large external gill plumes, like feather dusters. The dorsal crest of the larvae is high and ends in a blunt tip.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE (HABITAT)? 

This species can be found in well preserved landscapes, such as the forests and mountain areas of the Antequera Range or the boundary with the Cádiz province. It is also present in landscapes more altered by humans, such as the rainfed crops of the northern province. One of its essential requirements is the existence of relatively large and durable water masses, such as ponds and lagoons, swimming pools, pools and irrigation ponds.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

The Iberian ribbed newt is a fairly aquatic amphibian, staying in water for most of the year if the environment allows it. However, if the water masses are temporary (normally from November to May in Malaga), it can have a terrestrial phase consisting of remaining buried or under stones until the wetland is recharged. It is mainly active at dusk and night. The adult’s diet is very diverse: consuming larvae of insects, crustaceans, worms and even tadpoles of other species. The larvae are also predators of small aquatic invertebrates.

HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?

Mating starts after the autumn rains occur. The female fertilization is internal; a few days later, she lays between 200 and 800 loose eggs or in small groups into the water. One or two weeks later, tiny larvae of less than 1 cm are born; they will develop after about 3 to 4 months. Young specimens, already metamorphosed (after changing their appearance from larval to adult and lose their gill plumes to acquire lungs), looking almost like adults.

WHERE CAN WE SEE IT IN MALAGA AND ON THE STAGES OF THE GREAT PATH?

It is a fairly common species in the province. It is scarce or absent in the Axarquía, Montes de Málaga, Valle del Guadalhorce and Serranía de Ronda. The main populations live in the region of Antequera and in the mountains of the Málaga north-eastern sector. There are also populations in the western end of the province: the Cortes mountains, Montejaque and the limit of the Guadiaro Valley with the Cádiz province. In the Great Path, we can find it on stages 8 to 14, 16 to 20, 22, 26 and 31.

LEVEL OF PROTECTION - THREAT (INVENTORY)

It is part of the Andalusian Wildlife Species under Special Protection List. Although it is not threatened, a clear decline of the species in the province has been noted. It has disappeared in recent times in many areas as a result of the loss of its habitat, the development of intensive agriculture and the great urban growth in coastal areas.

CURIOUS FACTS  

The Iberian ribbed newts have one of the most striking defensive systems of our fauna: a series of orange bumps on the sides where the sharp ends of the ribs can be seen when they are threatened. That gives them a slight aspect of thorny animal and, of course, hinders their intake by predators.

SIMILAR SPECIES (IT CAN BE MISTAKEN WITH...) 

The adult specimen is unmistakable. Its larvae are distinguished from those of salamander by having very long and thin fingers and lacking a yellow spot at the legs base. Comparing with the larvae of the pygmy newt, the Iberian ribbed newt reach a much greater size at the end of their development and lack dark spots in the tail, which ends in a sharp point.